Steph, could you let us know about your background and what brought you to 3D printing in the first place?

My background is in biofabrication. When I was studying Biomedicine, I loved the idea of getting into medical engineering and 3D Printing. While I was living on college, I built my own Reprap Prusa Mendel, and was able to approach a professor in this area with some parts I’d made, on a machine I’d built. I was put on the research team looking at 3D printable, biodegradable breast scaffolds for implantation. I also worked on other projects around developing ‘smart materials’ which were able to give a material different properties, such as auxetics and triply periodic minimal surface structures.

What was your very first experience with 3D Printing?

My first experience was putting together my own Reprap machine. I love the idea of the open source movement, and building your own machine grounds your understanding of the process much more. It was a rough start without anyone to learn from, but with my current role, I can give back this knowledge to many others starting on the same journey.

The Brisbane Hackerspace is a community workshop, open 24 hours a day, providing maker equipment from 3D printing to laser cutting, electronics, woodworking, metalworking, welding, and blacksmithing. I was President at HSBNE for two years and love to see the great projects that this space makes possible.

To date, what would you say is your greatest achievement in Additive Manufacturing?

My greatest achievement is designing 3D printable furniture using modular, ‘assembly required’, multi-material design. I’m very proud of how the stool design came out, it’s quite strong. See more info on the design here.

Do you have any (fun or not) story about your career to share with us?

I once made a 3D printed jacket to wear to an interview. In hindsight, not the easiest concept to execute in a short space of time. See the build process and finished product here.

Have you run into any challenges from being a woman in 3D Printing?

Yes, some people have trouble accepting I have instructor level skill and this is part of my career, often I feel like I have to go to extra lengths to prove myself. As a positive consequence, I aim to go above and beyond with my projects to act as a good role model for others.

Anything exciting coming up you’d like us to know about?

I’ll be teaching my first 10-week 3D printing course in 2019, where participants receive a 3D printer to keep and learn advanced skillsets in prototyping. I’m really excited to do a deep dive with this tech and teach skills that often take longer to learn. Keep an eye on my website, PIPER3DP.com for more information.

What is the most impressive or impactful use of 3D printing you’ve seen so far?

The make anything Youtube Channel consistently impresses me with the level of innovation in DIY printing. Really shows how much potential there is through creativity.

What do you consider game-changing technologies in Additive Manufacturing?

Definitely the new Black Belt 3D printer, a machine with a conveyor belt as a platform. Make large runs of small items or something really long. Very exciting times!

What makes the 3D printing industry particularly interesting for you?

You don’t have to be a scientist, an engineer, or even have a lot of money to buy a decent machine now. All you need is a 3D printer, some filament and a computer with an internet connection and you can start innovating and making things that can improve or disrupt how things are done. It’s power to make a difference to more people than ever before.

What do you think of the 3D printing industry today? And how would you like to see it evolve?

3D Printing is more accessible than it’s ever been in terms of cost and ease of use, which is great for more people getting involved in prototyping new things. However, the environmental considerations of 3D printing at the hobbyist level hasn’t quite caught up with the pace of the technology. I’d like to see local services to recycle waste 3D printer plastic and greater uptake of ‘home recycling’ tech like the Protocyler, Filastruder and the Precious Plastic Movement.

New or potential owners of 3D printing need to keep in mind that it’s a personal responsibility to make sure you use your machine in an environmentally conscious way. Printing isn’t just about making knick-knacks. Print things that extend the life of things that you might otherwise throw away. Print utilitarian, useful things that look great.

In your opinion, how could we encourage more women to become involved with 3D Printing?

Young girls need good role models, I try to get out in the community showing off projects as often as I can. Traditionally feminine’ pursuit projects can also be great to inspire other women, especially in the fashion space. There’s a great amount of innovation that’s yet to be done in this space around sandwiching fabric with 3D prints to make creative shapes, flexible hinges and more.

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Nora is a 3D Printing expert since 2010, particularly skilled at building strategic alliances and strong business relationships.
Named among the 20 most influential women in Additive Manufacturing every year since 2015, Nora also received the Certificate of Honor in Manufacturing by the City of San Francisco in 2017 for her work with Women in 3D Printing, and was awarded Community Advocate of the year 2018 by her peers.

She started her career in Additive Manufacturing in 2010 by joining 3D Printing service leader, Sculpteo.

Nora joined Ivaldi Group in 2018. Ivaldi Group leverages cutting-edge additive manufacturing solutions to provide on-site parts on demand services for various industries. Drawing on a breadth of additive manufacturing industry experience, Ivaldi Group works across a range of stakeholders to digitize product portfolios and improve cost, risk and delivery for all parties, providing a Part Replacement as a Service solution.
As the VP of Strategy, Nora works closely with the CEO to build and implement the company's strategies in various segments: from core business value to customer relationship and parts production and delivery.

Nora founded Women in 3D Printing in 2014 to promote women leaders in the Additive Manufacturing industry. She also co-initiated and co-organizes #3DTalk, an industry-specific and educational event series featuring women in the 3D Printing and related industries. #3DTalks are global events hosted in various cities across the USA and Europe.

Pursuing her vision for more social inclusion, she joined 3D Africa as Board Advisor. 3D Africa is a youth and women economic empowerment program developed by the Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF), a nonprofit organization with years of experience combining education, technology, and economic development to transform economically challenged populations into self-sustainable communities. 3D Africa is part of the YTF’s Clinton Global Initiative 2016 Commitment to Action.